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Cornerstone

October 02, 2025

PASTOR'S REFLECTION

Hello St. John’s Family,


It happened again. As a powerful morning of worship – focused on hope – concluded last Sunday, we emerged to learn of a tragedy in Michigan. Updates noting a shooting, fire, uncertainty, and fear filled our newsfeeds and weighed on our hearts. Like you, I was haunted by the feeling of how wrong that is. Concerns about facing violence and acts of hatred should not weigh on us anywhere… yet they are especially troubling when occurring in a house of worship. We should feel safe when we gather as the Body of Christ. 


This thought has remained on my mind throughout the week. Do we feel safe here at St. John’s? Do our children and their parents feel safe here? I sense we often don’t even think about that, yet we cannot take safety for granted today. We should not live in fear, and we also should not ignore the realities of our world. We hear of how the disciples gathered behind locked doors in threatening times (John 20:19, 26), and we understand why. We also recall how locked doors didn’t prevent Jesus from entering in. 


As I reflected on all this, something else popped into my mind. Early this summer, a young girl named Mikayla came with her grandmother to St. John’s for the first time. Mikayla was very apprehensive, unfamiliar with what happens in Sunday School or worship. Almost immediately another young girl came up to Mikayla and took her hand. Ellie told Mikayla not to be afraid; everyone here was nice and that Sunday School is a lot of fun. Now, rumor has it that Ellie further reassured Mikayla by saying something along the lines of don’t worry… you’re with me, and my parents are big around here! You never know what a child might say – and I’m incredibly thankful for that! Because Ellie feels safe, cared for, and loved, she didn’t hesitate to welcome and reassure a new friend. A new friend who then attended VBS, and almost every Sunday since that day. 


I firmly believe that is the atmosphere we’re called to cultivate: a place where every child of God – regardless of age – feels safe, cared for, and loved. We’ve done a pretty good job of that; we also can never take for granted how an atmosphere of safety, caring, and love doesn’t just “happen.” It requires intentional focus and diligence. It requires us to ensure our facility both welcomes and protects, while reassuring guests (especially parents) that we care about their safety and the safety of their children. Sometimes, that may even require sacrifices, like blocking off the Education Wing Hallway during Sunday School to ensure only Safe Sanctuary-cleared persons are present. A minor inconvenience that is transformed into an offering of love, when made to help cultivate the loving, caring, safe, and secure atmosphere of God’s house.


Please know that I, the staff, and leadership here at St. John’s understand how critical it is to cultivate a loving and safe environment. We’ve already had discussions on how to improve our safety, and we welcome your ideas. We also need your help, including additional greeters to maintain a presence at each entrance on Sundays. If you are willing to serve God in this capacity, please reach out to the office, or to me.


This Sunday we’ll gather to worship and praise Christ Jesus, who is greater than any struggle or fear we face.  We’ll explore the virtue of faith – which is closely related to hope – as we hear of a request from Jesus’ disciples… and his surprising reply. We’ll also join with congregations across the globe to commune at our Lord’s Table in recognition of World Communion Sunday – it will be a powerful morning of worship! Check out Luke 17:5-10 (read verses 1-10 for full context) and Psalm 89:1-8 and then join me in worship on Sunday!




Grace and Peace,

Pastor Brad

WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY

Luke 17:5-10 | Psalm 89:1-8

Worship Service can be viewed LIVE AT 10:30 AM on

St. John's YouTube Channel


Past worship service videos can also be found:

https://www.stjohnsivyland.com/videoarchive


Auto-generated closed captions are usually provided by YouTube about a week after the service has posted for the hearing impaired.

Assistive Listening

St. John’s Ivyland wants to meet the needs of our community, and support our members and visitors in vital ways, including helping everyone to fully participate in Worship.

 

We are thankful to be able to provide ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES (ALDs)that are available for use at each Service.

 

These ALDs are FM radios that are connected to the audio broadcast for our Worship Services. The listening devices can be found in a marked basket in the church narthex.

 

Each service the devices will be sanitized for use but if you are interested in purchasing your own listening device they are available to order for under $20. Please contact the St. John’s church office to order a device or if you have any questions about St. John’s Ivyland’s ALD program.

Stewardship


We can CELEBRATE God’s love for us by answering the call to Stewardship!



Questions about Giving: email Lou Lescas at stjohns820@gmail.com


“Thank God for the gifts and thank God for the Givers!”


Your faithful support of St. John’s Ivyland with tithes and offerings makes it possible for us to serve God as we are called throughout the year.


Questions about Giving: email Lou Lescas at stjohns820@gmail.com

ONLINE, TEXT, IN PERSON & BY EMAIL


Online - Click at the top of any page at www.stjohnsivyland.com


By text - Text the amount of your gift to 877-960-2396. You'll receive a one-time registration link. Then follow the prompts to complete your donation.


In person or by mail - Tithes and offerings can be brought & sent to St. John's Ivyland, 820 Almshouse Rd, Ivyland, PA 18974


 “...For God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:7)” 

St. John’s Ivyland is sharing our October Communion Offering with United Methodists around the world as we jointly celebrate our unity in Christ’s love, life, death and resurrection on

World Communion Sunday.

Statement Thru August 2025

  • Engage (This Week)
  • Upcoming (October Preview) 
  • Sunday School
  • Bible Studies
  • Ministries & Small Groups
  • Opportunities to Serve
  • About the Cornerstone 

ENGAGE THIS WEEK

What is Confirmation?

Advent devotions are due Sunday October 5th! Please see Pastor Ruth to submit your contribution to this year’s Advent Devotional.

Join The Hospitality Committee


We are a group of volunteers who enjoy feeding our fellow congregants. Whether it’s homemade or store bought treats, we stock the Grace Cafe each Sunday morning with cookies, quick breads, cakes, doughnuts, etc. You would be in a rotation once every 3-4 months. If you are interested in helping to sweeten our Sundays.

Please reach out to Amy Scarlett 610-322-2276 or drandmrsscarlett@yahoo.com

UPCOMING (OCTOBER PREVIEW)

October Bible Study - Faith and International Relations


Picking up where last year’s ‘Faith and Politics’ left off, this four-week Bible study will look at the intersection of the discipline of International Relations (IR) and issues of Christian belief. Topics will include approaches to human nature and the study of global politics; the importance of a ‘macro’ level approach to both the examination of world affairs and questions of faith; the structure of the international state system and the parallels with the Kingdom of Heaven; and the importance of marginalized voices, both in IR and our faith tradition.


The study will be held on Mondays (10 a.m. and 7 p.m.) starting October 13th . Co-moderators will be Lance Kenney and Pastor Brad Leight

Annual Church Charge Conference Meeting - Thursday, October 16th at 6:30PM


All congregants are invited to attend our Annual Church Conference on Thursday, October 16th at 6:30PM in the Parlor. Our District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Andrew Foster III, will preside at this important meeting. Please contact the St. John's Office with any questions regarding our Church Conference.

Painting Party


Come enjoy a fun & creative afternoon hang Saturday, October 11th from 1:30pm-3:30pm in the St John’s Fellowship Hall. The cost is $35 per participant and covers instruction and materials. If you are interested, please sign up by October 5th in church narthex (in front of Sanctuary). You can email Nicole McDevitt for more information!


Email: nikmcd@msn.com

St. John’s Ivyland Church Picnic


Family, friends & neighbors - ALL are invited to St John’s Ivyland Church Picnic, Sunday, October 19th. Come to church dressed for picnic fun. 


Sign up ONLINE or on the sheets in the church narthex TODAY!


For more information on the St John’s Church Picnic please email Nicole McDevitt.


Email: nikmcd@msn.com

Sign-up Here

Trunk or Treat


Join us for Trunk or Treat & celebrate Fall on Sunday, October 26th. 


Decorate your car trunk with a theme or spooky Halloween tricks and park in a designated spot as children and adults come around for treats. The ideas are endless, and we are here to help. 


There will be food and fellowship for families after - so wear a costume and plan for a good time.


CANDY DONATIONS begin THIS SUNDAY in the St John’s Narthex! Please let us know if you plan to decorate a vehicle by October 12.


Email: childrensminstry.stjumc@gmail.com

SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE

No Youth Fellowship



Please note, there is NO YOUTH FELLOWSHIP Sunday October 5th!

BIBLE STUDIES

Our next Zoom Bible Study is this Tuesday, at 11am. We’d love to see you there! For access please email Rev Paul Henry via the link below.

St. John’s Wednesday Night Adult Bible Study is back and we’re exploring Jesus in the Gospels. Join us Wednesday at 7 in the Library! 

Young Adult Explorer Bible Study

College-aged Young Adults have their own Bible Study at St John’s, led by our own Ken Lee. Our first Fall meeting is this Sunday at 11:30am in the church library.

MINISTRIES & SMALL GROUPS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 05, 2025

In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes; together they call themselves the Thursday Murder Club. When a local developer is found dead with a mysterious photograph left next to the body, the Thursday Murder Club suddenly find themselves in the middle of their first live case.

OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE

St John’s Ivyland is blessed to have so many current college students in our church family! We are launching a new ministry where we pray for our students by name and lift their concerns before the Lord! If you are interested in becoming a prayer warrior for our students who are away from home, please contact JT Crockett and join this awesome intercessory prayer project today.


Email: youth.stjumc@gmail.com

St. John’s Ivyland is looking for children & teens (3rd grade & older) who are interested in becoming acolytes!


An acolyte's role is to bring in the light of Christ prior to the service and to take the light of Christ out at the end of the service. 


If you know of a young person who can serve in this meaningful part of Worship Contact Jennifer Haas (215)-776-1740 


TRAINING IS AVAILABLE!

Prayer requests should be submitted to prayer.stjumc@gmail.com

Prayer requests are reviewed

Monday-Friday AM.

MISSION & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES

CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION

If your contact information changes: 

address, phone, email, etc.

please notify the church office at

215-357-6998 or office.stjumc@gmail.com

and we'll be sure to update your information in our files.

Thank you!

WHAT'S HAPPENING!



The latest Devotionals, News and Worship Videos can be be accessed below, as well as, under the

"What's Happening"tab on our website.

www.stjohnsivyland.com

CCLI Streaming License #CSPL049266